TIK4031 ¨C Methods in science, technology and innovation studies

Course content

This course combines lectures and workshops on methodological approaches and techniques that are relevant to the fields of Innovation Studies and Science and Technology Studies. It includes:

• An introduction to research subject-object relations from an epistemic and ethics perspective.
• An introduction to empirical research, including how to design cases.
• An introduction to method as a process, from design to data collection, recording and analysis.
• Reporting results.

The lectures and workshops provide theoretical and practical tools for the student to be able to understand and use a comprehensive range of methods at a master level. The course covers a selection of quantitative and qualitative methods (interviews, ethnographic participant observation, and document analyses). The course covers also emerging digital methods such as web-scraping and issue mapping tools.

Learning outcome

• The students will acquire advanced knowledge on what methods are, how they work and what their use is.? ?
• Students will be able to understand a comprehensive range of methods in the fields of STS and Innovation studies.
• Students will acquire practical knowledge. They will be able to use and test methods and reflect upon the use of methods. The emphasis is on developing practical skills.

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Practical Skills

• The students will be able to select and combine methods.
• The students will be able to collect, organized and analyze data.
• The students will be able to present results.
• The students will acquire the ability to design their methodological strategy, and to create. a timeline to complete their research project.

Admission to the course

TIK4031 is offered to TIK master students. ESST students will also be able to register to TIK4031 (non-compulsory).

Other students may apply for admission to the course to?info@tik.uio.no.

Recommended previous knowledge

Formal prerequisite knowledge

No mandatory?prerequisites, but it is recommended that the candidates have completed?TIK4001?or equivalent before registering for TIK4031.

Teaching

The course combines lectures with workshops:

1. The lectures are based on obligatory readings. It is required that the students will read those texts in preparation. The lectures include discussions on those texts. Active participation is expected.
2. In each workshop the students will practice methods design, data collection and analysis when required. This will result in a written piece to be submitted on CANVAS (3-4 in total). The assignments will be available on CANVAS in advance. The assignments are developed individually.

80% attendance is mandatory.

Examination

Take-home portfolio exam consisting of assignments submitted during the course and a reflection note.

Language of examination

The exam assignment will be given in English. ESST students must write their exam paper in English, while TIK students may choose between English and Norwegian.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.